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Monday, February 28, 2011

This post is part of the 103rd Carnival of Genealogy: Women's History! hosted by Jasia at Creative Gene.

Daniel Servos Whitmore and Eliza Jane Lawrence were married on 26 February 1835. They were both raised in Loyalist households. They had five children before my ancestor, Sophia Jane Whitmore joined their family. Louisa was the oldest child. She was born 30 December 1835. Then came John Young on 25 Jul 1837. Next was Eliza in June of 1839. Then Ann Magdalene was born on 16 March 1841. Their second son, Daniel Servos, was born in April 1843.

On the 24th of May 1845, Sophia Jane Whitmore was born. She was the youngest child of Daniel and Eliza. The Whitmore family lived in Niagara Township, Lincoln County, Ontario.

Sophia married her neighbor, John S Rogers, the son of Abraham Rogers and Margaret Singer. John and Sophia had 5 children together. Hattie Belle was born on 9 July 1866. Mary Louisa was born 27 March 1869. Maggie May was born in March 1871. George Edgar was born 16 February 1873. Their youngest child, Maude, was born 3 August 1875.

Until this point in time, Sophia had been living a happy life. One day this all changed. Her husband John died on 2 September 1876 in Niagara Township from consumption. Sophia was left a widow with 5 young children at age 31. From this point on, the lives of Sophia and her children would be filled with more tragedies.

After John’s death, Sophia married Frederick Markle Colby. They had one daughter, Carrie Sophia, who was born 21 January 1880.

Sophia died on 15 December 1880 in Niagara township, before her youngest daughter’s first birthday. She died from phthisis pulmonalis, also known as consumption. She was buried with her first husband, John Rogers, in Christ Church Cemetery.

Just over a month after Sophia’s death, Carrie Sophia Colby died from inflammation of the brain. She passed away on 17 January 1881 at the age of 35.

Tuberculosis had left the Rogers children orphans. They were lucky and went to live with Sophia’s oldest sister, Louisa and her husband Frank G Havens. Louisa and Frank never had children of their own.

Sophia’s oldest child, Hattie Belle Rogers, married Howard R Stull on 19 April 1893. They had six children together.

Sophia’s other children had much different lives from their sister. Mary Louisa Rogers died in 1945. She never married. She lived for a time with her great uncle, William Kirby, a famous Canadian writer. Maggie May Rogers died at the age of 21 on 2 May 1892 from consumption. George Edgar Rogers died 19 July 1895 after an accident with a pitch fork and his eye. Research has not located Maude Rogers after 1901.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

I've kicked my reading into overdrive this past fall and have been finally putting a dent into my Amazon wish list. For the most part I have been borrowing the books from the library and purchasing just a few. I've found some wonderful books recently that I have wanted to share with others. So I created an Amazon store front to showcase some of the books that other genealogists might be interested in reading.

This was really easy to put together. I created three categories of books: fiction books with genealogy themes, nonfiction books about genealogy research (like memoirs and histories) and genealogy how-to books. All the ordering goes through Amazon. My "store" is really just a set of links to Amazon items. I don't see what you order and I don't fill the orders. But if you order a book through the link, I will get a small percentage of your purchase.

You can order the book through Amazon. Or you can borrow it from your local library. Or purchase it from your favorite local book store. Or purchase an ebook for your ereader. Or borrow it from a friend. It doesn't matter to me how you read it. My goal is just to make available a list of books that I have read and want others to check out.

I added a tab at the top of the blog to allow easy access to the store. I'll be updating it frequently as I continue to find new books that may interest genealogists.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Last Will and testament of David Potter Decd
State of Indiana}
Switzerland County} S S
Be it remembered, that on the 26th day of May A D 1838, The last will and testament of David Potter deceased, of said county was filed in the office of the Clerk of the Probate court, of said county, and proven and admitted to record which will and the proof thereof reads in the words and figures, following to wit—
I David Potter of Switzerland County and State of Indiana, being of correct and sound mind, do make and ordain, this my last will and testament, in the manner following to wit I give and bequeath all my property of every description to my son, Martin Potter to support me through life and after my demise, he is to have all my estate – goods, chattels, &c.
In witness where of I have set my hand and seal this the twenty fifth day of April, in the year of our lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.
David Potter {seal}
Done in presence
Of
Eliza Andrews
William Andrews
State of Indiana, Switzerland County S S
Be it remembered, that on the twenty sixth day of May A D 1838 at the office of the clerk of the probate court of said county, in the town of Vevay, personally came Eliza Andrews and William Andrews Min of lawful age, who after being duly sworn, upon their oaths, deposeth & saith that they were personally present when David Potter the testator, signed the foregoing wile and openly and publickly [sic], declared the same, to be his true last will and testament, that they these deponents signed their names, as witnesses to the foregoing will in the presence of the said testator, in the presence of each other, and at his request. And these deponents further say that the said testator, David Potter, was at the time of signing, and publishing his said last will and testament of prefect disposing mind and memory as they verily believe, and further saith not.
Eliza Andrews
William Andrews

I Edward Patton, Clerk of the Probate court of said county do hereby certify that the above proof of the foregoing will, was taken sworn to and subscribed before me, on this 26th day of May A D 1838.
In Witness whereof I do hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said court at Vevay this day and year last aforesaid.
Edward Patton Clerk

Saturday, February 19, 2011

William B SANDERS was born 31 December 1800 in England. He married Ann WHITE. He immigrated to the United States in the 1830s. Ann died before 1837, when William remarried to Susan ESTEP. William died on 26 February 1875 and was buried in Bovard Cemetery in Cotton Township, Switzerland County, Ohio.

William and Ann had at least two children:

Richard SANDERS was born around 1828 in England. He married Caroline MERRILL on 3 July 1850 in St. Louis, Missouri. He died there in July of 1856, leaving a widow and two children, Richard and Violetta.

Violetta B SANDERS was born 13 August 1831 in England. she married William A ARCHER in 1848 in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. She died on 30 April 1912 in Elm Township, Putnam County, Missouri.

Please email me at genwishlist@gmail.com to collaborate on this family line.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

William B SANDERS was born 31 December 1800 in England. There he married Ann WHITE. He immigrated to the United States and lived in Cincinnati, Ohio before moving across the border to Switzerland County, Indiana.

While in Cincinnati, he married Susan ESTEP, the widow of Johnson MORAN. Susan was born around 1804 in Maryland. Susan and Johnson were married 4 Mar 1824 in Prince George's County, Maryland. By 1831, they had moved to Cincinnati and Johnson died before 1834.

William and Susan were married on 5 March 1837 in Cincinnati.

Susan died on 23 August 1864. William died on 26 February 1875. They were both buried in Bovard Cemetery in Cotton Township, Switzerland County, Indiana.

William and Susan had four sons:

Joshua SANDERS was born 1 January 1838 in Cincinnati. He married Elzira Matilda RYAN (1840-1920) on 1 January 1860 in Hamilton County, Ohio. He died on 9 October 1866 and was buried in Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati.

George W SANDERS was born 24 February 1842 in Ohio. He married Sarah Jane DUNNING (1842-1926) on 30 September 1864 in Switzerland County, Indiana. He died there on 10 August 1901 and was buried in Bovard Cemetery in Cotton Township, Switzerland County, Indiana.

Edwin SANDERS was born in July 1845 in Ohio. He married Fanny C MOORE on 4 Febrary 1872 in Switzerland County. He died 1 February 1922 and was buried in New Cemtery or German Cemetery in Rising Sun, Ohio County, Indiana.

Winfield S SANDERS was born 2 September 1848 in Ohio. He died 25 August 1864 and was buried in Bovard Cemetery in Cotton Township, Switzerland County, Indiana.

If you would like to collaborate on this line, please send me an email at genwishlist@gmail.com.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Be it Remembered that on this 10th day of October 1889, the last will and testament of Carley H. Bascom, deceased, late of Switzerland County, Indianawas produced in the Clerks office of the Switzlerland Circuit Court, and due and legal execution thereof proven by Joseph G. Melick, on of the subscribing witnesses thereto, which will together with the proof and certificate of probate thereto attached read in the words and figures following to wit:

I Carley H Bascom of Switzerland County State of Indiana, do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other wills heretofore made by me. To wit:

Item First. I give and devise to my daughter, Jennett Bascom, the following described Real Estate situated in Switzerland County, State of Indiana, It being the north west corner of the south east quarter of section thirty three in Township three of range two west. Beginning at the north east corner of said tract on the line dividing the north east and south east quarter of said section, then west on the said dividing line fourteen chains and forty nine links to the north west corner of said quarter, thence south on the line dividing the south east and south west quarters of said section twelve chains and fifty links, thence east on a line parallel with said north line fourteen chains and thirty seven links, thence north twelve chains and fifty links to the place of beginningcontaining eighteen acres and give hundredths of an acres of land.

Item 2d I do hereby nominate and appoint my son Robert Bruce Bascom the executor of this my last will and Testament.

In witness whereof I the Testator have hereunto set my hand and seal this the 1st day of March 1889.

Carley [his x mark] H. Bascom {seal}

Signed and acknowledged by said Carley H. Bascom as his last will and testament in our presence and signed by us in his presence.

Joseph G. Melick

Henry D. Tinkel

State of Indiana, Switzerland County. S. S.

Before me D B Lee Clerk of the Switzerland Circuit Court, personally came Joseph G. Melick one of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament of Carley H. Bascom late of Switzerland County, Indiana, deceased and being duly sworn on his oath says that he was present at the execution of said last will, that the same was duly executed, that at the time of the execution thereof, said testator was of full age to devise his property of sound mind and memory and not under any coercion or restraint that said testator requested affiant and Henry D Tinker to sign said will as witnesses thereto, which they accordingly did in the presence of said testator and in the presence of each other as subscribing witnesses thereto.

Joseph G. Melick

State of Indiana}

Switzerland County} S.S.

I, D. B. Lee Clerk of Switzerland Circuit Court, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing last will and testament of Carley H. Bascom late of Switzerland County, State of Indiana, deceased, was this day duly admitted to probate and record, and the proof thereof duly made by Joseph G. Melick one of the subscribing witnesses thereto, which said will, together with such proof, have been duly recorded in Record of Will No. 4 Page 326.

Witness my name and Seal of said Court this 10th day of Oct. 1889.

D. B. Lee, Clerk

State of Indiana}

Switzerland County} S. S.

I, D. B. Lee, Clerk of the Circuit Court within and for said County and State do hereby certify that the above and foregoing contains full true and complete copies of the last will and testament of Carley H Bascom, deceased, together with the proof thereof & certificate of probate thereto attached as the same appear from the original now on file in this office.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Last spring I came across the BackStory with the American History Guys podcast. The show takes a topic from today and gives it historical perspective across the history of the United States. This podcast entertained my husband and me on our trip to and from FGS this past summer.

The December show took a look at the census. A topic that interests all genealogists. What I found most interesting about this episode was the interview they did with one of the 1940 census enumerators. There is even an extended interview with Al Marquart, who got his census job after being unable to find work after finishing high school. I love that one of the reasons he was hired was because the supervisor could read his handwriting.

Check out the podcast and make sure you listed to the extended interview with Al Marquart. I'm sure it will get you excited about the 1940 census!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

The Indiana Genealogical Society will hold its 2011 conference in the Sterrett Center at Fort Benjamin Harrison (8950 Otis Ave.), on the northeast side of Indianapolis on Saturday, April 16. The featured speaker is Diane VanSkiver Gagel. Registration is $30 for IGS members and $40 for non-members and at the door.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Know all men by these presents that I William B Sanders of Switzerland County, Indiana, do make this my last will and Testament as follows.

Item 1. I devise to my son George W Sanders the following real estate in said County of Switzerland towit. The farm on which I now reside and which a purchased of Sidney Robinson and which now conveyed to me by Deed dated August 31, 1849, and which is Recorded in the office of the Recorder of said County in Book O page 569, and also the crops which may be growing or being on the same at my decease, but the said land and crops are devised to him upon the condition subsequent. That he shall pay or cause to be paid all my just debts and funeral expenses, except as hereinafter named.

Item 2. I give and devise to Harry, Cora, and Jessie Sanders children of my deceased son Joshua Sanders forty acres of Land, being the South half of the North half of the South west quarter of Section 27 Township 3 of Range 2 west in said County of Switzerland.

Item 3. I give and devise to my son Edwin Sanders, the South west quarter of said Section 27, excepting said last named piece. Thereof, and excepting also forty acres on the North side Thereof owned by my son George W Sanders, said part so devised supposed to contain seventy two acres – If any of the purchase money for said land shall be unpaid at my decease. The Said Edwin is to pay the same.

Item 4. I bequeath to my daughter Viletta Archer wife of William Archer twenty dollars, and to my Grand children Viletta Sanders and Richard Sanders children of my son Richard H Sanders the sum of five dollars each.

Item 5. I appoint my said Son George W Sanders Executor of this my last will and Testament, and hereby revoke all former wills by me at any time heretofore made.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of August AD 1872

Attested by William B [his x mark] Sanders

Jackson Goodner

Alex C Downey

State of Indiana Switzerland County SS

Before the Judge of the Circuit Court of Switzerland County Indiana personally came Jackson Goodner one of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament of William B Sanders late of said County deceased, and being duly sworn on oath says that he was present at the execution of said last will that the same was duly executed, that at the time of the execution Thereof said Testator was of fully age to devise his property, of sound mind and memory, and not under any coercion or restraint. That said Testator requested him to sign said will as witness Thereto, which he accordingly did in the presence of Testator, and in the presence of Alex C Downey the other subscribing witness thereto.

Jackson Goodner

Subscribed and Sworn to before me this 26 day of March 1875 J H Netherland clerk

State of Indiana Switzerland County SS

I J H Netherland Clerk of the Circuit Court of said County do hereby certify that the above and foregoing last will and testament of William B Sanders late of said County State of Indiana deceased, was this day duly admitted to Probate and record, and the proof thereof duly made by Jackson Goodner one of the subscribing witnesses thereto, which said will together with such proof have been duly recorded in record of wills No 3 pages 334 & 335 in This office.

Witness my hand and the Seal of said Court at Vevay this 26 day of March 1875 J H Netherland Clerk

The State of Indiana Switzerland County Sct

I Joseph H Netherland Clerk of the Switzerland Circuit Court do certify the above and foregoing to be a true, full and complete record of the last will and testament of William B Sanders deceased, late of Said County and also of the proof thereof and certificate of probate endorsed thereon

I have finally gotten back to indexing records for FamilySearch while watching television (instead of playing games on my phone). I've been working on the Elkhart County, Indiana Marriages and I am wondering if my indexing is discouraging people from finding the original records.

Indexing is supposed to make it easier for researchers to find the original documents. But when you index everything on a record, do people still want to view it? I know that great researchers want to see everything, but what about everyone else? If the image is attached to the index, then people will be more likely to view it. But what if they have to go searching for the document in microfilm or through a courthouse? If "everything" is in the index will they spend the time?

I love being about to search by parents' names and find my ancestors' siblings. I love finding their birth dates and places in the indexes to verify that I have the right person. But how much is too much in an index?

From the Indiana Marriage project: Does the index really need to include the name of the wedding officiant? It's great info to try to find a marriage record within church records, but does it need to be in the index? Should the index contain the number of previous marriages of each participant? Or should researchers use other information and the original record to find out about other marriages?

I know that some people will always only look at the index. But should FamilySearch be helping them out? Or should they limit the number of fields indexed? Another reason to limit the amount of information that needs indexing is that it would take less time to index and increase the number of records completed.

What do you think? Is this just me adding to the age old debate about indexing and original records or am I on to something?

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